Scientific Partnership

The EGIR group was formed in the mid-1990s by a group of investigators from 21 clinical research centres across Europe that pooled their data on in vivo insulin action in non-diabetic, normotensive subjects of any age and body mass index. insulin sensitivity was measured by the hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp technique, the "gold standard” for the measurement of insulin resistance. The result of this first project was the creation of the largest "insulin clamp" database in the world.

The EGIR group was awarded funding in 2001 by the EU 5th Framework Program (EU contract QLG1-CT-2001-01252) to resolve the question of whether insulin resistance is a risk factor for progression of carotid artery intima-media thickness (an index of cardiovascular disease) independent of other risk factors (lipids, body weight, haemostatic and inflammatory factors etc). The EGIR project "RISC-Relationship between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular Disease" (RISC) started in February 2002 and is now completed, although some centers are still monitoring the initial cohort.

EGIR Group maintains a unique database and continues to generate publications.

EGIR Group is managed by a Steering Committee and its scientific activities are managed by a separate Project Management Board.

EGIR Group holds annual meetings in different European cities, hosted by one of its members. Presentations are given by members of the group, and by invited speakers working in the field of insulin resistance and related subjects.